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[Horseshoer]

Bob, Arch and myself are meeting at noon tomorrow (Saturday) at the Phoenix Sign right off the freeway in Albany for a ride. Don't know where we are headed from there but we always have fun. Everyone is invited of course. I will be heading down from Portland if anyone wants to hook up. You can call me in the morning at 503-680-0056.

See ya there!
Dennis

[c5vetteman]

I'm not wearing the thong but everyone show up anyway!

Bob

[manwhorides]

Thanks guys, did you read about the run to the coast with Steves gang? Wish I was off tomorrow, you guys have a good putt!

[Xacerydr]

Hey, Bob I liked the picture with you in the kiddy pool with the babes!

Were they your daughters? :lol:

[manwhorides]

How was the ride yesterday guys????

[family-mann]

How was the ride yesterday guys????
It was nice. Did a little jont down to Albany and arround some back roads towards Kings Vally. Had the opt to meet a couple of locals and were ready to hit the road back into Philomath and back home. Met a great newbie Jeff and gave him a good start to riding with our group. To bad more of us couldnt get there in the short notice of the ride.

[c5vetteman]

The ride went well. The Newbie followed the # 1 rule of riding in a group, "Do not crash into the bike in front of you". All the return members just picked up where we left off last fall. Arch & I even had a discussion to this affect, as he pushed me out of line at the gas station and cut in front of me.

We met a self described "Artist" who walked down the line of shining VTX's and picked the only Harley in the bunch as as his dream bike. Disappointing but not surprising. Artists live in a world of their own. When you look at some of the public funded "Art" that is installed in government building it becomes clear that in an artist's world almost anything "works". A big red hodgepodge of metal shaped more of less like a dog bone at the foot of the Washington Jefferson street bridge in Eugene comes to mind. Then there are the cement frogs on concrete pedicels which are painted and positioned as if they were being seen through an acid trip induced haze at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts also in Eugene is another example.

On the other hand. Our "Artist" did pick a new Harley "Fat Boy". In my opinion the best looking bike Harley makes. If I was going to buy a Harley it would be a Fat Boy. If it is good enough for the Terminator there is nothing more to say. I followed this Fat Boy quite a ways and did not see any parts fall off nor did I see any parts which looked to be loose. Good job Harley! It just makes it safer for the rest of us to not have to dodge fenders and turn signal housings laying in the road.

It was great to be back on the road again. Dennis and I discussed leading the group to our snow road to relive last springs ride with Autumn and Jerry where Jerry's bike went down twice. Bob also went down twice but it was not his fault! After a briefly considering this options it was decided that if we could not make it through the snow in May last spring the chances of making it in Feb this year were not good.

Arch took some pictures. I still think it is to prove to his wife that he really is hanging out with guys. Lets see the pictures Arch!


Bob

[Horseshoer]

Can't add anything more than Bob and Steve's discription of the ride. It was great getting out again. Wish more of you could have joined us. Jeff, it was great meeting you and I hope you become a regular. Oh yea, Jack (Warden) met us at K-Mart and said hello. His bike is looking good with the new additions he's made. Good to see him again also.

Lets do this again sometime soon!

Dennis

[manwhorides]

Man I'm sorry I missed it. Hey Dennis, when you happen to be reading this message, do me a big favor, and go up to your orignal message post of RIDE TOMORROW!!! . Then press the "edit" button and type yeterdays date next to the RIDE TOMORROW!!. That way after weve talked awhile on this thread it can naturally go to the end as people will know it's a past ride. Make sense? (your the only one that can edit your own message)

[manwhorides]

I'll tell ya Bob, you and Sundance sure have a "Bad A$$" writing style. You two are definately OregonXriders most creative and entertaining posters.

Hail To The Chiefs

[c5vetteman]

Arch:

That Kiddy Pool is located at Sandles in Jamaica. No blood relations pictured. So there!

Bob

[Pinefang]

Glad to here you all had a great ride on Saturday. Sounds like the Newbie did just fine. All bikes made it back without dented bumpers. Thats good advice from Brad, don't worry so much about rubber banding keep an eye out for whats happening up front and you can pretty much tell what the guy in front of you is about to do even before he responds to it sometimes. By the way I always recommend signing up for the MSF course. It pretty much shows experienced riders that what they thought was safe riding can be made much much safer.

Anyway, Rather than making the ride down to Salem to meet up with you guys I rode with the SCRC to Tillamook had a great lunch and then down the coast to Hebo where we shot over to Grand Ronde and Macville then home. About 200 great miles with just the right amount of twisties to get the blood flowing real good. All had a great time. Hope to ride with you all soon. Have a great week. :mcrider:

Steve Wilkins Pinefang :mcrider:

[Balrog]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the suggestions on the MSF course. I took it three years ago. I have been thinking about taking another one. I tend to ride (and drive) somewhat conservatively. I have only gotten one speeding ticket in my life and that was 20+ years ago.

I started riding bikes (in the dirt) when I was eight years old and rode consistently in the dirt until I was 18. After high school, I rode a street bike while taking a few classes at PSU. Then I fell out of it for a number of years. I got back into riding three years ago.

I have only ridden on two other group rides. They were both Abate runs. Other than that, I have been riding by myself for the last three years. I still have too many dirt bike habbits to break.

I must say that the precision and formation of the other riders in Saturday's event was perfect. Thier spacing was absolutely flawless.

I look forward to meeting/riding with you some day. I really do appreciate anyone's comments and suggestions on making me a better rider.


Sincerely,
Jeff

[c5vetteman]

Now Now Jeff:

Kissing up is always good, but you have to be believeable. You said our spacing during the ride was flawless. See, that is what I mean. I know for a fact that Dennis is so old that he can't see past his headlight. He has to stay close so he can make out the hazy image ahead of him. You will know what I mean when you see him fall out of line at a stop light and follow someone walking across the street. It's really hard not to laugh, but it's sad too. Things are not always what they seem to be. Just show up and ride with us. You will get the hang of it. Hell, if a blind man can do it!!

Bob


http://images.snapfish.com/339%3A6%3C6723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2329%3D%3C%3A7%3D% 3A25%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A9777746ot1lsi

[manwhorides]

And then ya got the guys like me that ride up your butt because I can only figure out how to twist the throttle twards me not away from me. Then when your behind me your always wondering "what the heck is he doing riding 1 handed through the twisties, at the same time wondering whether you'll have enough time or room to ride around me when I splat in a corner. Yeah, were a perfect riding bunch alright, always in perfect formation and doin what were supposed to be doin :D :D

Your just lucky ya joined us when ya did and not a year or 2 back. Back when Dennis needed the whole lane and half of the oncomming one to negotiate his corners. He's ridin like the best of us now though 8)

[Pinefang]

Hi Jeff hope I didn't come across like I thought you were a new rider. Sorry if I did. Didn't mean it. I just like to throw in a little advice when ever I not asked for it. Hope to ride with ya soon. Don't worry about being perfect. It's like anything else perfection is just something to aim for. Except for Bob of course whose middle name I here is perfect.
Later all.

Steve Wilkins Pinefang

[Balrog]

Steve,

No offense was taken. I think it is important that you guys know a little bit of my history. I appreciate the advice. Really!

Although, I have ridden by myself for a while. I still think of myself as a newbie. Without feedback, or interaction with other riders, it is hard for one to improve riding skills.

Again, no offense was taken. I am sorry if I sent the wrong signals.

I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely

[Horseshoer]

Wow! I think I got treated better by Brother Speed and the Jokers! :lol:

Dennis

[manwhorides]

Wow! I think I got treated better by Brother Speed and the Jokers! :lol:

Dennis

You get all the attention Dennis, I'm jealous :D

[Xacerydr]

Hey Jeff,

You did absolutely great on the ride Saturday as echoed by everyone that you rode with.

Remember don’t worry about trying to stay locked-in, ride at your own comfort level and you’ll do fine. There is no one here that hasn’t been where you are and felt the same.

Pinefang made a great suggestion about the MSC, that along with riding with us as much as you can will make you feel more comfortable and confident.

As for driving me nuts…. Did not feel that way at all!

Job off the tail gunner is to make sure everyone makes it to the next stop, keep an eye on what’s going on up front and what’s coming up from the rear. I was just doing my job.

Great riding with you.

Keep your head up buddy!

See you again soon.

Jim